Electrosurgical device

Abstract

Electrosurgical devices and methods associated therewith are provided. The electrosurgical devices include a proximal end, a shaft extending distally from the proximal end, and an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The shaft consists of a monolithic outer tube, and a single inner guide disposed within the monolithic outer tube and extending a length thereof. The end effector includes a pair of jaws configured to grasp tissue and to receive a blade from the shaft to transect the grasped tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrosurgical device, comprising:
 a proximal end;   a shaft extending distally from the proximal end, the shaft consisting of:
 a monolithic outer tube, and 
 a single inner guide disposed within the monolithic outer tube and extending a length thereof; 
   an outer guide coupled to the shaft and the proximal end, the outer guide being configured to minimize unwanted motion between the proximal end and the shaft; and   an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a pair of jaws configured to grasp tissue and to receive a blade from the shaft to transect the grasped tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the singular inner guide includes a plurality of channels defined in an exterior thereof, each of the channels within the plurality of channels extending an entire length of the singular inner guide and being configured to receive an element in electrical communication with the proximal end. 
     
     
         3 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of channels includes an active rod channel configured to receive an active rod therein, the active rod channel including a proximal ramp feature configured to direct the active rod received within the active rod channel toward a center of the singular inner guide. 
     
     
         4 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of channels includes a knife track being configured prevent buckling of a knife positioned therein during an activation stroke of the knife. 
     
     
         5 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the monolithic outer tube has a tapered hole therein and the singular inner guide has a second tapered hole therein, and wherein the first and second tapered holes are configured to align when the singular inner guide is properly positioned within the monolithic outer tube. 
     
     
         6 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 1 , further comprising heat shrink tubing disposed around the shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the monolithic outer tube includes a central lumen configured to receive the shaft therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer guide includes an outer guide clip configured to couple to the outer guide and to the shaft, and configured to prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the monolithic outer guide. 
     
     
         9 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 8 , wherein the outer guide clip is substantially Y-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 8 , wherein the outer guide clip is configured to couple to corresponding grooves in an exterior of the shaft. 
     
     
         11 . An electrosurgical device, comprising:
 a proximal end;   a shaft extending distally from the proximal end and being secured to the proximal end via an outer guide including an outer guide base, an outer cover, and an outer guide clip configured to couple the outer guide to the shaft, the shaft consisting of:
 a monolithic outer tube, and 
 a single inner guide disposed within the outer tube; and 
   an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a pair of jaws configured to grasp tissue,   wherein the outer guide is configured to minimize user independent motion between the proximal end and the shaft.   
     
     
         12 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 11 , wherein the singular inner guide includes a plurality of channels defined in an exterior thereof, each of the channels within the plurality of channels extending an entire length of the singular inner guide and being configured to receive an element in electrical communication with the proximal end. 
     
     
         13 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of channels includes an active rod channel defined in an exterior thereof, the singular inner guide including a proximal ramp feature configured to direct an active rod received within the active rod channel toward a center of the singular inner guide. 
     
     
         14 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 12 , further comprising an active rod extending between the handpiece and the end effector, and being configured to conduct an electrical current generated by the handpiece to tissue grasped in the pair of jaws. 
     
     
         15 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 12 , further comprising a knife disposed in the plurality of channels and being configured to extend into the pair of jaws to transect grasped tissue during an activation stroke triggered by an input at the proximal end. 
     
     
         16 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of channels includes a knife track being configured prevent buckling of a knife positioned therein during an activation stroke of the knife. 
     
     
         17 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 11 , wherein the monolithic outer sleeve has a tapered hole therein and the singular inner guide has a second tapered hole therein, and wherein the first and second tapered holes are configured to align when the singular inner guide is properly positioned within the monolithic outer sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 11 , further comprising heat shrink tubing disposed around the shaft.